- Threats to Our Retirement Security. Big business and big money have launched major campaigns to undercut public pensions and retiree health care. Protecting our benefits is the #1 reason for sticking together in the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington. Our strength is your retirement security!
- Strength in Numbers. The Retired Public Employees Council has been able to fight in the Legislature, in the courts, and at the grass roots level due to our large number of retirees. The bigger we are, the stronger we are!
- Power in Unity. Alone, each of us is powerless. But when retired public employees join together and speak with one voice, we have clout with lawmakers and retirement systems.
- Affiliation with AFSCME. The Retired Public Employees Council of Washington is an affiliate of the largest organization of public retirees in the USA, with nearly 250,000 dues-paying members nationwide (nearly 10,000 right here in Washington). AFSCME – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees – is the nation’s leading public-sector union, with 1.6 million members. No organization has more experience fighting and winning for public employees and retirees.
- Support from the Working Members. The Retired Public Employees Council has the full support of the Washington Federation of State Employees, Council 28, and AFSCME Council 2 – which combined have a membership of over 48,000 public workers statewide.
- A National Network of Retiree Chapters. The AFSCME Retirees have chapters across the country, which work together on federal issues that affect public retirees. Only a national organization has the ability to lobby Representatives and Senators nationwide on such issues as protecting Medicare and Social Security.
- Local Retiree Meetings. The Retired Public Employees Council has nearly 30 retiree chapters, enabling our members to meet locally in their own communities. Most chapters meet monthly, giving members the chance to socialize and get the latest information on retirement issues.
- Info on Retirement Issues. Members of the Retired Public Employees Council receive subscriptions to three informative publications: AFSCME’s national Public Employee magazine and PrimeTIME retiree bulletin, plus RPEC’s own Quarterly newsletter which focuses on retirement issues.
- An Experienced Staff. The staff of the national union and its Washington State affiliate includes budget analysts, labor economists, lawyers and professional lobbyists, who help us protect and improve our retirement benefits. We can also rely on the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington staff to serve their members and oversee our activities.
- Members-Only Benefits. The “AFSCME Advantage” Program offers a variety of benefits and services to meet our members’ consumer needs. These include a no-fee, low-rate MasterCard; a discount legal assistance plan; theme park and car rental discounts; a pet services plan; a low-cost health savings program, with discounts on drugs and dental care; and many more. You will also be eligible for family hearing benefits through our partnership with TruHearing.